"I wore these shoes all day - over 9 hours - and they are probably the most comfortable pair of dressy flats I've ever owned. They look great with a flowy skirt, dress pants, or even dressy jeans.A thin"cushion" layer surrounds your foot (except your sole and the back of your heel). The sole is not "cushioned" but it's not too hard either.The navy blue fabric is pretty dark - almost black. The toe is a little brighter and seems more navy. However, when paired with blue, the navy shoes do NOT look like black."